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Daily Chizuk #1264
Weekly Parasha
Hidden Miracles: Recognizing the Source Behind the Natural
Parashat Vayishlach: The Most Valuable Time of Your Life
If a person is going through a struggle, although he is hoping to get himself out of it as soon as possible, he can utilize the opportunity he has, while it is there, to grow to great heights. The Rambam writes in his Iggeret Teman, if someone is able to be happy with a difficulty that Hashem sent him, it is a great honor to Hashem and, ultimately, Hashem will bring the person honor in return. The Sefer Charedim writes, if someone would stay connected to Hashem and think about Him, even while he is experiencing trouble, "אין לך עבודה גדולה מזה – there is no greater service than that." And in that merit, Hashem will save the person and bring him honor.
When a person is hurting, he has a natural tendency to complain and bemoan his fate. But, if he could overcome that and thank Hashem for everything He is doing, he'll become so great. The Gemara says in Masechet Taanit (p. 8), if a person is happy with the afflictions he is receiving, recognizing that they are for his good, he'll bring about salvation not only for himself but for the entire world. Therefore, if anyone is feeling down about their lot in life, or about something difficult they are going through, they can immediately turn those feelings into the most valuable time of their life by working on themselves to thank Hashem with joy. Even if they can't bring themselves to thank Hashem for the pain, to thank Hashem for everything else they have in their lives is also an invaluable avodah.
Everything Hashem does for us is good. He wants us to recognize it. When the Mashiach comes, we'll then understand clearly how even the hardships were good. But before that, we have the opportunity to have emunah and believe it, and thereby earn eternal rewards.
Shabbat Shalom!
If a person is going through a struggle, although he is hoping to get himself out of it as soon as possible, he can utilize the opportunity he has, while it is there, to grow to great heights. The Rambam writes in his Iggeret Teman, if someone is able to be happy with a difficulty that Hashem sent him, it is a great honor to Hashem and, ultimately, Hashem will bring the person honor in return. The Sefer Charedim writes, if someone would stay connected to Hashem and think about Him, even while he is experiencing trouble, "אין לך עבודה גדולה מזה – there is no greater service than that." And in that merit, Hashem will save the person and bring him honor.
When a person is hurting, he has a natural tendency to complain and bemoan his fate. But, if he could overcome that and thank Hashem for everything He is doing, he'll become so great. The Gemara says in Masechet Taanit (p. 8), if a person is happy with the afflictions he is receiving, recognizing that they are for his good, he'll bring about salvation not only for himself but for the entire world. Therefore, if anyone is feeling down about their lot in life, or about something difficult they are going through, they can immediately turn those feelings into the most valuable time of their life by working on themselves to thank Hashem with joy. Even if they can't bring themselves to thank Hashem for the pain, to thank Hashem for everything else they have in their lives is also an invaluable avodah.
Everything Hashem does for us is good. He wants us to recognize it. When the Mashiach comes, we'll then understand clearly how even the hardships were good. But before that, we have the opportunity to have emunah and believe it, and thereby earn eternal rewards.
Shabbat Shalom!
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